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Very Good

#131 of 574 schools in SD

Top 23% in state

Newell Middle School - 04

Middle School · Newell School District 09-2

PO Box 99, Newell, SD 57760

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

7.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newell

#2 of 3

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#26 of 144

In district

#2 of 3

Newell School District 09-2

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Newell Middle School - 04

Newell Middle School - 04 is a small rural middle school located in Newell, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 52 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With five full-time equivalent teachers, Newell Middle School offers a nurturing environment where students can thrive.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 44th percentile among South Dakota schools. Academically, the school has room for improvement, with 32% of students proficient or above in ELA/reading and 29% meeting proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Newell Middle School focuses on student development and provides support to help each child reach their full potential.

Newell Middle School is situated in a remote rural area where the close-knit community values education and works together to provide a supportive learning environment for its students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Newell Middle School - 04 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Newell Middle School - 04 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,337

Newell Middle School - 04 — Students at Newell Middle School - 04 score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.5/10.

How Newell Middle School - 04 Compares

See how Newell Middle School - 04 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
77th percentile in SD
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 99, Newell, SD 57760

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Newell Middle School - 04 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Spearfish Middle School - 05 (rated 6.4/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Spearfish), a more accessible option. Another option is Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 (rated 5.7/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Sturgis), a more accessible option. Additionally, Belle Fourche Middle School - 07 (rated 4.4/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Belle Fourche), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newell, see our Newell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Newell Elementary - 02 Newell 0.0 mi 7.6
Newell High School - 01 Newell 0.0 mi 5.8
Sturgis Brown High School - 01 Sturgis 20.8 mi 5.0
Sturgis Williams Middle School - 02 Sturgis 21.5 mi 5.7
Sturgis Elementary - 03 Sturgis 22.1 mi 7.2
Whitewood Elementary - 04 Whitewood 20.3 mi 9.0
Belle Fourche High School - 01 Belle Fourche 20.7 mi 4.8
Belle Fourche Education Connection - 09 Belle Fourche 20.7 mi 5.2
Belle Fourche Middle School - 07 Belle Fourche 20.9 mi 4.4
North Park Elementary - 08 Belle Fourche 21.0 mi 6.8
South Park Elementary - 03 Belle Fourche 21.4 mi 5.2
BLACK HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spearfish 25.2 mi 6.7
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills Elementary - 09 Spearfish 25.0 mi
Spearfish Academy at Canyon Hills High School - 10 Spearfish 25.0 mi
Lead-Deadwood Elementary - 03 Deadwood 27.9 mi 6.4
Creekside Elementary - 07 Spearfish 25.8 mi 6.4
Mountain View Elementary - 08 Spearfish 26.2 mi 6.5
Piedmont Valley Elementary - 05 Piedmont 33.4 mi 8.0
Spearfish High School - 01 Spearfish 26.1 mi 6.0
Spearfish Middle School - 05 Spearfish 26.2 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57760 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,750

Median Home Value

$144,000

Median Rent

$1,067/mo

Population

1,084

College Educated

22.8%

Homeownership

91.3%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Newell Middle School - 04 has a median household income of $53,750. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,000, with a median rent of $1,067/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Andes Central Middle School - 04 Lake Andes, SD 7.5
Herreid Middle School - 03 Herreid, SD 7.5
Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 Alcester, SD 7.7
Wakpala Middle School - 04 Wakpala, SD 7.7
Ethan Jr. High - 03 Ethan, SD 7.4
Centerville Middle School - 03 Centerville, SD 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Newell Middle School - 04

What grades does Newell Middle School - 04 serve?

Newell Middle School - 04 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Newell Middle School - 04?

Newell Middle School - 04 has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Newell Middle School - 04?

The student-teacher ratio at Newell Middle School - 04 is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Newell Middle School - 04 rank in SD?

Newell Middle School - 04 is ranked #131 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Newell Middle School - 04's MySchoolScout rating?

Newell Middle School - 04 has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Newell Middle School - 04?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newell Middle School - 04 has 28.7% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Newell Middle School - 04 a charter school?

No, Newell Middle School - 04 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Newell Middle School - 04 a Title I school?

No, Newell Middle School - 04 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Newell Middle School - 04?

57.7% of students at Newell Middle School - 04 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Butte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newell School District 09-2
District Enrollment
243
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,872
District Rank
#2 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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